Vehicle body



Feb. 13, 1940. VOTYPKA 2,190,462

VEHICLE BODY Filed July 6, 1936 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEYS. W

Feb. 13, 1940. VOTY PKA 2,190,462

VEHICLE BODY Filed July 6, 1936 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 1 N VEN TOR.

E-E- Wm w M.

By fi-JQW? A TTORNEY5.

Feb. 13, 1940. Iv -P A 2,190,462

VEHICLE BODY Filed July 6, 1936 e SheetsQSheet s INVENTOR. J55)? llfg/Za.

ATTORNEYS.

Patented Feb 13, 1940 PATENT OFFICE VEHICLE BODY .Johnvotypka, Detroit. Mich.,- assignor to Briggs Manufacturing Company, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application July ,1936, Serial No. 89,065

' 14 Claims.

the roof thereof controlled by means of, aslidting roof panel. I r v r An object of the invention is to provide a vehicle body of the foregoing type having an opening therein and a longitudinally slidable. or adjustable roof panel supported, guided and con- 1 trolled in improved relatively economical and simplified manner.

A further object of the invention is to provide improvedmeansj for sealingthe roof opening against the leakage of water past the sliding panel when in closed position.

A still further object isto providefimproved means. cooperating with the marginal edges, of

the sliding pan'el for holding the same under spring tension against vibration as well as, lateral and vertical displacement and at the same time providing an eflicient weather seal when the roof panel is closed. p

Another objector the invention is to provide improved operating mechanismffor adjusting the roof Ipanel longitudinally and improved supporting and mounting means for said .mechanism.

Other objects of this invention will appear in the following description and appended claims,

reference'being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate correspond- 'ing parts in the several views.

, Fig. 1,,is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the roof ofan automobile body wherein the present invention is incorporated.

. Fig. 2 is a fragmentary inside'perspective View f the vehicle bodyillustrating the sliding roof 7 panel in closed position. 7

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 illustrating the sliding roof panel in open position.

Fig. 4 1s anenlarged detail transverse section v taken through lines 44 of Fig. 1 in the direction of the arrows. v 1 I Fig. 5 is a detail sectionvtaken through lines 55 of Fig. 4 inthe direction of the arrows.

Fig. 6v is an enlarged detail section taken through lines 66 of Fig. l in the direction of the arrows. j I Y I Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail section vtaken through lines l--'| of Fig 1' in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view, partly in section, taken fromline 8 -.8 of Fig. '1 in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged verticalsection taken v (Cl. 296-137 This invention relates: to vehicle bodies and I particularly, although not exclusively, to automobile bodies of the type having an opening inthrough lines 9-9 of Fig. 1 in the direction 0. the arrows.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary, sectional elevation taken through lines Ill-40 of Fig. 9 in the direc, tion of the arrows. i

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary horizontal section taken through lines H-l| of Fig. 9 in the direction of the arrows. Q

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary sectional elevation taken through lines l2-i2'of Fig. 9 in the direc- 10 tion of the arrows. v

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary perspective view, partly in section, taken through lines l3-l3 of Fig. 1 in the direction of. the arrows.

Fig. 14 is an enlarged detail section taken 15.

through lines M -Moi. Fig. 1 in the direction of the arrows. g r

Fig. 15 is a detail section taken through lines v @545 of Fig. 1 4.;

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary perspective view of O the forward end of the gutter.

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary transverse section illustrating a modif cation.

Fig. 18 is a longitudinalsection showing a modified form of rack construction. 2 I

;not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement vof parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of'being practiced or carried out in various ways.

Also it is to be understood that the'phraseology orterminology employedherein'is for thepurpose of description and not of limitation, and it is not intended to limit the invention claimed herein beyond the requirements of the prior art.

In the drawings thereare illustrated certain present preferred embodiments of the invention .asapplied to arr-automobile body of the cab type having a metal roof A including curved cover 4.5 sheet comprising side roof panels 20 and a rear panel 2 i, the roof'being provided witha generally rectangular-opening at its top which is adapted to be closed by means of a permanent top roof section 22 arranged in the front portion of the roof opening and a sliding metal roof panel 23 adapted to close the opening in rear'of the permanent roof section 22. In the present instance,

-"the opening in the roof controlled by the sliding .panel 23 is -at the rear of the body although it g5 will be understood that the body may be constructed so that the sliding panel 23 will control an opening located at the front portion of the roof.

The permanent top roof section 22 may be formed either from a metal stamping or may be of composite non-metallic material, the latter being shown, by way of example, in the present instance. This roof section is of conventionalconstruction and, as shown in Figs. 6 and 13, is sealed within the roof opening along its marginal side and front edges by means of a rubber sealing strip 23 interposed between the roof section 22 and the upper turned edge of the side roof panels 23. The side and front roof panels, as shown, are downwardly flanged at 25 around the margin of the roof opening and thence provided with inwardly directed flanges '23, and secured to the latter by welding are channels 21 carrying tacking strips 23 to which the fabric or composite roof section 22 issecured.

Within the roof opening in rear of the permanent roof section 22is mounted a generally rec'- tangular wood frame comprising longitudinal side members 23 (Fig. 4), a front cross-member or bow ;3ll along the front transverse. edge of this opening (Fig. 9), and a rear transverse member 3! (Fig. 7). The sections 23, 33 and 3! of this Wood frame are supported upon the horizontal flanges 23 of the roof panels 23 and'fl as shown in Figs. 4 and 7 and are rigidly secured in place to said flanges. i

The side wallsand top portions of the roof within the interior of the passenger compartment, which is located below the rear opening in the roof, is upholstered by means of suitable material 32, see Figs. 4 and 7, which may, for example,

consist of waterproofed imitation leather, and

as shown the head lining material 32 extends around the upper marginal edge of the roof opening, being drawn back at 32c and extending outwardly as shown at 3%. so asto overlie a substantial marginal portionof the roof panels23 and 2|. qThe portion 32b of the material is cemented to the metal panels 28' and 2!. Thus, the material 32 entirely covers the wood framing 29 and 3i and since it extends well over the joint between said wood frame members and the flanges 25 and is cemented to the top of the metal panels, it effects a preliminary seal against the leakage of water into the body. Extending along the longitudinal sides and rear edge of the opening and overlying the edge portions 32b of the mate-' rial 32 is acontinuous flat rubber sealing strip 33 terminating at its outer edge in a marginal bead 33a. This sealing strip is securely cemented to the material 3212 and to the roof panels 20 and- 25, as shown in Figs. 4 and 7, and overlies the joint between the framing 29, 3! and the metal roof panels. The rubber sealing strip 33 is of elastic or pliable rubber composition adapted to be compressed somewhat to effect a desirable water-tight seal.

Mounted upon the sealing strip 33 is a three sided U-shaped channel frame 34. In the present instance, this frame comprises longitudinal side members 340. and a rear transverse member 341), see Fig. 8, formed to overlap the rear ends of the side members and welded thereto to provide a substantially integral water tight joint 340. The channel frame 33 is securely fastened down to the side roof panels 2! and to the end'frame member 3! by screws so as to compress somewhat the rubber sealing strip 33 and effect a water tight joint, the bead 33a assisting materially in sealing the parts against the ingress of'water.

The longitudinal side members 'of the channel 34 each comprises outer and inner vertical side flanges or walls 35 and 36 joined by a generally horizontal bottom web 31 forming with said walls a continuous gutter around three sides of the roof opening. The bottom web 31 is provided through a predetermined portion of its length with a raised or offset track portion 33, Figs. 6,

l3 and If This offset portionvariesin'height and in the present instance diminishes in height toward the rear of the channel sections untilit merges into the flat bottom web 3! as shown in Fig. 4. This offset in the gutter varies'the path of movement of the roof panel relative to the normal line of the gutter, compensating for or.

modifying the roof curve toproduce either a true are of travel or a rectilinear path of travel as desired, the former being produced in the present instance. The flange 33 of the channel section 3411 at therear end of the roof opening, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8, is cut down in height in order to provide clearance for the sliding roofpanel 23.

The sliding lid or roof panel 23 comprises a one-piece stamped or pressed metal sheet generally rectangular in shape and having formed therein around the four marginal edges thereof a continuous unbroken upstanding curvedbead or rib 40 forming a part of a downturned vertical flange extending continuously aroundthe four sides of the panel. This flange comprises longitudinal sections 4|. a front transverse section .42 (Figs. 13 and 14) and a rear transverse section 43 (Fig. 7). Mounted along each longitudinal side of the sliding panel 23 and confined Within the flanges or skirts 4i are a series of anti-friction rollers'M. Any suitable numbermaybe pro- I vided, such as three, at each side'of the panel.

Each roller 44 is journalled in the vertical side flanges of a- U-shaped bracket 45 spot-welded to the panel 23, Fig. 4; The inner face of the metal.

panel 23 is concealed by meansof suitable trim 2 panels 46, (Figs. 4 and 12) Each panel may comprise a foundation sheet of fiber-board or the like covered on its inner face withsuitable upholstery material such as imitation leather, fab

ric or the like. Eachtrim panel 46 is supported Iv along its outer edge by means of suitable '2 the lid panel 23 (Fig. 4) and the inner longitudinal edges are engaged byv means of suitably shaped shaped metal retainer clips 41- spot-welded to 1 5 38 are zig-zag in cross-section and have termi- Y nal horizontal flanges 48a spaced apart and spanned by means of a longitudinal metal strip 49 overlapping the flanges 48a and secured there-- to as by metal screws 49a. The central portion. 1. of the strip 49 is pressed into shallow channel shape and punched to provide a series of holes 50' thereby forming a. rack extending longitudinally I and centrally of the lid 23, as shown in Fig. 2;; The metal strips 48 and 49 provide reinforcement for the roof panel 23, and additional crosswise alined channel strips-5| (Fig. 4) which are spot- 7 reinforcement is provided by means of "shallow welded to the roofpanel 23 and which intersect and are secured to the longitudinal strips 48.

Cooperating with the rack 49', the teethof V which are produced by means of the perfora tions 50, are the teeth 52 of:a gear 53 (Figs. 9-12). Fixed to one face of the gear 53 Ba hollow or tubular shaft section 55 projecting' laterally therefrom and having worm teeth 56 cut in the end thereof.- The gear 53 and shaft I an opening 54- cut in the transverse roof bow 30.

The casing- 58 terminates out-turned flanges shape as shown in Fig. 9, this cover plate being secured to the member 30 by screws i and being readily removable to permit access to the mechanism within the casing 58 for servicing purposes.

Journalled within a bearing block 62 carried by the casing 58 and supported thereby is the rear end of a shaft 63 having worm teeth'54 cut peripherally at therear end thereof, said teeth meshing with theworm 56 on the tubular shaft 55 whereby the-gear 53 may be rotated from the shaft 83. beneath the roof section 22,v being concealed by the-head lining material 32, and the forward end of the shaft is turned down and machined to provide a ball or head 65 having a' transverse pin 66 fixed therein and projecting at opposite as to be readily accessible for manipulation by the driver of the vehicle. The regulator mechanism in the present instance comprises a metal mountingplate 18 removably secured to the wood partition member 69 by screws H. Rotatably mounted on .the plate are a pair of meshing gears 12 and T3, the former being driven by means of a crank handle 14 Mounted on the back face of the plate 10 is a housing 15 containing a suitable friction clutch mechanism operable to lock the shaft of the gear 12 in any angular position thereof, the construction of this friction clutch, which may be of any well known type, being such as to permit the gearing to be driven by turning the handle 14 but locking the gearing by. friction against movement when a longitudinal force is applied to the lid 23. Meshing with the gear 13 is a pinion 16 secured to a short shaft or spindle .I'i journalled in the mounting plate 10. This shaft-projects through the plate and is fastened to or forms a part of a tubular coupling member 18 adapted to rotate with the shaft of the pinion 16. The coupling 18 at its terminal end is slotted at diametrically opposite'sides at I9 to receive the projecting ends of the coupling pin 66, the member 18 having a socket 18a to receive the head or ball 65 at the terminal end of the shaft 83. The regulator mechanism, including the gearing and mounting plate, are concealed by means of a removable cover plate 80, the shaft of the crank arm l4 projecting therethrough as shown in Fig. 9. Secured to the lower edge of the partition 59 is a guide strip 8i grooved to provide a pair of parallel glass runway channels to receive the sliding glass panels 82 separating the: drivers compartment from the passenger compartment. 7

From the foregoing it will be seen that the regulator assemblyfincluding the gearingand other parts carried by the mounting plate 10,

. the sliding roof panel.

roof panel and its operating-mechanism within The shaft 63 extends forwardly cages 95.

is readily detachable and the mechanism driventhereby for moving Hence, in production the the casing 58 and the shaft 53 may be fully assembled and thereafter at a laterstep in the assembly line the regulator mechanism on the with respect to the shaft 63 mounting plate 7i! may be installed in'position since the coupling of the shaft t3 therewith merely requires the sliding engagement of the part 18 with'the parts 55 and (it. With this construction simiplicity in servicing of the oper- 3 a'ting mechanism is afforded since the regulator mechanism maybe readily removed without disturbing the remainder of the roof operating mechanism. Y

It will be seen that the sliding roof panel 23 is mounted through anti-friction rollers "M,-whichmay be of fiber or other composition material, to travel on tracks 31, 38 at the bottom of the longitudinal gutter or channel members 34 the construction, of the, latter being such as to cause the lid panel to slide longitudinally in a rectilinear path into and out of position't'o close the roofopening. The sliding roof panel is retained inverticalposition-and the rollers tensioned against the tracks by means of flexible or yieldable rej tainer caps or cover strips 83. These strips or members are of hood-like construction adapted to overhang and cover the gutters .34. The retainer member 83 may comprise longitudinal sections and a transverse end section rigidly fastened together end to end by welding to-provide substantially a continuous "U-shaped or threesided frame. With reference to Figs; 4 and 6 to 8 inclusive, it will be seen thatthe member 83 comprises a pressed metal strip having its outer vertical edge folded back upon itself 'to provide a wall 84 of double thickness. The strip also comprises an arched hood portion 85 overhanging the gutter 34 and terminating at its inner edge in a return bent flange 86 within which is confined one edge of a compressible sealing and insulating strip 81 extending continuously from one end to the other of the U-shaped strip 83. The weatherstrip 81 may, if desired, be composed of material, such as felt, which is preferably waterside 84 of the retainer strip is provided With'a" series of holes 88a adapted to register with corresponding holes 38 in the flange of'the'gutter and the parts are secured together by means of bolts 89 and nuts 90 housed within sheet metal 83a have materially larger diameters'than the diameter of the shank of the bolt 98 and that the sealing strip 37 engages the upstanding bead ill of the sliding roof panel. Thus, after the strip 83 has been secured by the bolt 89 to thefiange 35 it may be adjusted vertically with respect to the bead Ml by a blow from a hammer, for exam- It will be seen that the apertures 88,

ple, thus embedding the bead 4D in the material ,8! to the desired extent to provide an effectively tight seal and at the same time to prevent undue resistance to the longitudinal adjustment of the roof panel 23. The overhanging'portion 85 of the retainer strip also functions as a spring which in conjunction with the compressible'material8i acts to tension the sliding ro'of panel and prevent chattering or vibration. The overhanging portion 85 may also be adjusted'with' resp'ect'to the bead by blows froma hammer applied along the inneredge thereof effective to bend it slightly toward the roof and thus assist in securing the proper pressure against the bead All. If desired adjustment of the retainer strip 35 with respect to the flange 35 may be obtained by loos- 1 ening and bodily adjusting the bolt and nut aspanel 23 forces the bead 43 into the sloping face 81a of thestrip 81.

Referring to Figs. 6, 9 and 13 to 15 inclusive,

.. the front end flange d2 of the sliding roof panel is slotted at 92 to receive the flanges 36 of the gutter at opposite sides thereof; The rear flange 43 is slotted in like manner. As seenin Fig. 9, the outer water-proofed covering of the roof section 22 extends beneath the transverse rubber sealing strip 33 which is cemented thereto and mounted on this strip is a transverse metal channel strip 93 screwed down tightly against the rubber sealing strip 33 to the wood cross-bow 30. The channel 93 has a forwardly extending sealing flange 94 which faces the inner side of the roof panel flange 42 when the latter is closed. Along the front inner side of the sliding roof panel is mounted, as by spot-welding, a reinforcing metal angle 95 and spot-welded to the lower edge of this angle and also to the flange 12 is a transverse channel strip 95 facing rearwardly and carrying'a sealing strip 91. In the present instance, the latter comprises sponge rubber although other suitable yieldable or pliable sealing material may be used. The flange 94 faces the sealing strip 97 so that when the'roof panel is fully closed the flange embeds itself in the material Q'i, thus providing an eifective water-tight seal. A supplementary seal around the slots 92 is also provided by means of an L-shaped strip 98 of material, such as water-proofed felt, riveted at 99 to the flange 42. This strip is slotted to receive the flange 33 and to closely hug opposite faces thereof. 7 The strip also has a portion 98a which'engages and wipes'the bottom 38 of the gutter and a portion 38b projecting inwardly and providing a snug fit between the channel strip 96 and the roof panel.

As shown in Figs. 14 and 15,-a weather seal is provided between the outer upright flange 35 of the gutter and the vertical side flange M of the sliding roof panel. This weather. seal is located at a point substantially opposite the front flange 42 of the roof panel when the latter is in fully closed position and comprises a strip of pliable material, such as water-proofed and lubricated felt I08, secured by rivets I I'll to-the inner face of the gutter flange 35. Intermediate the rivets the strip is bowedor bulged inwardly to flll the space between the flanges 35 and 4!, this being accomplished by means of a core or plug I02 of compressible material such as sponge rubber. The weather seal H36, in addition to closing the channel between the flanges 35 and M, also functions to position the roof panel laterally during its sliding movement, it being understood that devices Hid-I02 are provided at opposite sides of I the roof panel and one or more along its length as desired. The strips ms snugly engage the flanges ll, the contact being sufl'iciently tight to hold the rubber plug H82 in compressed or partially flattened condition. As a result, the roof panel is held against vibration in all positions thereof. As shown in- Figs. 4 and 7, the space between thetrim panel 46 and the frame members 3!. 3| is closed by means of a flexible wind cord air-20,462

803 which yielding ly engages the panel 46 thereby preventing drafts, Y

Referring to Fig. 16, itwill be seen that the forward terminal ends of the tension strips 83 are closed by ineansof vertical end flange portions 83a which overlie the upper portions'of the gutters 36, the lower portions thereof being open to permit water to drain out. Angle members 14 arespot-welded or otherwise secured to the fori ward terminal ends of the gutter members 34 to provide abutments for limiting thetravel of the v sliding roof panel at wide open position. Suitable drain holes in the outer walls of the gutter members may be provided to permit any water entering the gutter to flow out. In the present instance, drain holes I03 of suitable size are formed in the base of the flange 35 at the rear.

corners of the gutters (Fig. 8) and additional drain holes Hi5 are provided in the walls or flanges 33 slightly in advance of the sliding roof panel when in closed position, see Fig. 13.

Referring to the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 17, in this instance there is provided a construction in which the sliding roof panel 23 lies sub-.

panels 20 and 2| are flanged downwardly at 18,

inwardly at H39 and then upwards at Hi) to provide gutter members which are, overlapped by the sliding roof panel 23. The rollers 44 travel on the Webs I39 as hereinbefore described. The tension strip H [extends continuously around'three sides of the roof opening and overliesthe roof panel 23 in the same manner as the strip 83 and carries sealing strips llla similar to the sealing strips 3! which engage under springtensionthe marginal beaddfiof the roof panel. The outer edge of the strip 5 l l' is folded back upon itself at H2 and secured within the depression or groove ml by screws H3, a continuous rubber sealing strip H5 being interposed between the folded edge H2 and the base of the groove I01. Y

Referring to the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 18 and 19, in this instance the rack engaged by the gear '53 is supported in somewhat different manner. The rack comprises a metal strip H6 having perforations II? forming the teethv of the rack which are engaged by the teeth of the gear 53. The opposite longitudinal edges of the brackets having flanges I261) secured at l2l to the wood cross-bow 33.

reinforcing strip l 22 extends centrallyfrom front.

to rear of the roof panel and has side flanges l22a spot-welded to the panel. The inner edges of the trim panels 35 are clamped to the strip I22 by clips I23 secured in place by suitable screws. From this construction it will be seen that only the front and rear ends of the rack are fastened to the sliding roof panel 23. The rack is engaged by the, teeth of the gear 53 at a point intermediate the front support H9 and the overlying flanges of the bracket I20. The engagement of 75 A channeled metal I I f"2 ,19o,.4e2]

the gear with the rack between these points is such as to place'the strip H6 under tension thereby insuring constant mesh of the sprocket with are secured through'strips I26 to the roof flanges 26. Rubber sealing strips H! areinterposed be-,

:. tween the flanges 25 and |24a.. The sliding roof panel 23 and gutter membersit l are substantially the same as previously described. The tension strips 128 difier somewhat in design from-the strips 83 but are secured for adjustment to the outer walls of the gutter members by screws 89 in the'same way as above described. The overpreviously described. The top ofthe strip I29 is arched to clear the bead All and terminates along its inner edge around three sides of the roof opening in an upstanding inverted channel shaped rib i343 having the channel thereof opening downwardly. Within the channel I30 and clamped or pinched between the side walls thereof in a sealing strip I3! extending continuously around the longitudinal sides and rear end of the roof panel23 and yieldingly pressed againstthe panel 23 inwardly of the bead or rib 40. The

material of the strip l3| may be the same as the strip 8'! and by adjustment of the tension"re-- tainer strip I29 in the manner previously described in respect'to the strip. 83 the sealing strip l3! may be} pressed under the proper degree of spring tension against the roof panel.

It will be noted that when the rof panel movesv into fully closed position the flange M embeds itself in the, compressible material B'l'which not only effects a sealbut also tends to hold the front end of the panel against vibration. At the same time the rib at the rear end of the panel (Fig. '7) is forced into engagement with the compressible but relatively compact. liner, material 81 which, due to its wedge or inclined shape acts to force or draw down the rear endof the sliding panel by wedging action, thus effectinga seal and holding down the panel firmly against vibration.

It will also be noted that the compressible rubber strips 33 not only act as a sealbut also as a noise' and vibration dampening or deadening medium which effect is aided by the composition or fiber rolls 44.

I claim; I i 1. In a vehicle body having'a roof opening and I a longitudinally slidable roof panel movable into andout of position to closethe opening, said panel having marginal downwardly directed flanges along the sides and ends thereof, channel shaped gutters receiving said longitudinal flanges, rollers slidingly supporting the panel in said gutters, said end flanges having guide slots receiving the inner upright walls of the gutters whereby portions of said end flanges extend into said gutters. f

andnon-metallic sealing members secured to the inner sides of said end flanges andsealing the space between the flanges and the bottom of the gutters.

2. In a vehicle body having a roof opening and 5 a longitudinally slidable roof panel movable into and out of position to close the opening, said panel having marginal downwardly directed flanges along the sides and ends thereof, channel shaped gutters receiving said longitudinal flanges, rollers slidingly supporting the panel in said gutters, saidendflanges having guide slots receiving the inner upright walls of the gutters whereby portions'of said end flanges extend into said gutters;

and non-metallic sealing members secured to the inner sides of said end flanges and sealing the space between the flanges and thebottom of the gutters and also cooperating to seal said guide slots.-

3. In a vehicle body, a roof structurecomprising a cover sheet having therein an opening of a substantially rectangular shape, 2. depending angular flange integrally formed on the edges of, said cover sheet around at least three sides of'said opening, a frame supported by said flange sub- 25 stantia ly flush with said cover sheet, and a headlining covering the interior of the body and secured to said frame around all four sides thereof.

4:. vehicle body, a roof structure comprising a cover sheet having therein an opening of a substantially rectangular-shape, an integral depending on said sheet around at least three sides of said opening, an inwardly extend itcg flange portion on the lower edges of said flange forming an angle therewith, and a substan- ,35 tially rectangular frame fitted into said angle and coextensive with a substantial portion of said opening. I

5.111 a vehicle body, a roof structure comprising a cover sheet having therein an opening of a substantially rectangular shape, an integral depend-v ing flange on said sheet around at least three sides of said opening, inwardly extending flange portions on the lower edges of said flange forming an angle therewith, a substantially rectangular frame fitted into said angle substantially flush' with said cover sheet and defining the margins of a skylight opening. In vehicle body, a roof structure comprising a cover sheet having therein opening of a substantially rectangular shape, an integral de-.

pending flange on said sheet around at least three sides of said opening, inwardly extending flange .portions on the lower edges of said flange formsheet to cover the remaining portion of said open- M i. In vehicle body. a roof structure comprising a cover sheet having therein an opening of substantially rectangular shape, an integral depending flange on said sheet around at least .three sidesof said opening, inwardly extending' flange portions on the lower edges of said flange forming an angle therewith, a substantially rectangular frame fitted into said angle substantially flush with said cover sheet and occupying substantially one-half of said opening, a headlining covering the interior of the body and brought around said frame" and secured thereto, and a permanent panel supported by said flanges substantially flush with said cover sheet and fitted to close the remaining portion of said opening.

8. In a vehicle body, a roof structure comprising a cover sheet having therein an opening of a substantially rectangular shape, an integral depending flange on said sheet around at least three sides of said opening, inwardly extending flange portions on the lower edges of said flange forming an angle therewith, a substantiallyrectangular frame fitted into said angle substantially flush,

with said cover sheet and occupying substantially one-half of said opening, a headlining covering .the interior of the body and brought around said frame and secured thereto, a permanent panel of substantially rectangular shape supported at its three sides by said flange portions and around its fourth side by said frame, said panel being fitted 'to close the remaining portion of said opening,

and a resilient sealing strip between said cover sheet and said panel around the three sides thereof.

9. In a vehicle body, a roof structure comprising a cover sheet having therein an opening of a substantially rectangular shape, a depending angular flange integrally-formed on the edges of said cover sheet around at least three sides of said opening, a frame supported by said flange substantially flush with said cover sheet, a headlining covering the interior of the body and secured to said frame, and a panel supported by said cover sheet movable to open and to close along the sides of said opening and supported by said cover sheet, and a panel movable in-said channel to open and to close selectively the opening defined by said frame.

11. In a vehicle body, a roof structure comprising a cover sheet having therein an opening of a substantially rectangular shape, a depending angular flange integrally formed on the edges of said cover sheet around at least three sides of said opening, a frame supported by said flange substantially flush with said cover sheet, a headlining covering the interior of the body and secured to said frame around all four sides thereof, guide channels provided along the sides of said opening, a frame supported by said flange a panel movable in said channel to open and to close selectively the opening defined by said frame, and members secured to said channels and having continuous spring flanges overlying the side edges of said panel and resiliently holding down the same.

12. In a vehicle body, a roof structure coniprising a cover sheet having therein an opening of a substantially rectangular shape, a depending angular flange integrally formed on the edges of said cover sheet around at least three sides of said opening, a frame supported by said flange substantially flush with said cover sheet, a heads.

lining covering the interior of the body and; se-[ cured to said frame, guide channels provided along the sides of saidopening and supported by said cover sheet, a panel movable in said channel to open and to close selectively the opening-deflned by. said frame, members secured to said channels and having continuous spring flanges overlyingthe side edges of said panel and resiliently holding down the same, and a sealing strip between said spring flanges and said panel edges to effect a seal therebetween.

13. In a vehicle body, a roof structure com-' prising a cover sheet having therein an opening 1 of a substantially rectangular shape, a depending angular flange integrally formed on the edges; of said cover sheet around at least three sides of said opening, a frame supported by. said flange. substantially flush with said cover sheet,a headlining covering the interior of the body and seguide channels provided along the sides of said opening and supported by said cover sheet, a- I panel. movable in said channel to open and to 1 close selectively the opening defined by said frame, a channel secured to said cover sheet and extending along the sides and one end of said opening, a continuous spring-flange carried by said channel and-overlying the side edges of said panelin all positions thereof and one endedge of said panelin the closed position thereof to hold said panel down resiliently, and anoninetallic strip secured to said spring flange tofacilitate sliding of said, panel and to effect a seal around the three sides of said panel in, the

closed position thereof.

4. 20" cured to said frame around all four sides thereof, f.

14. In a vehicle body a roof structure coniprising a cover sheet having therein an opening of a substantially rectangular shape, a depending angular flange integrally formed on the edges of said cover sheet around at least three sides of said opening, a frame supported-by said flange substantially flush with said cover sheet,a headlining'covering the interior of the'b ody and sev cured to said frame around all four sides thereof,

guide channels provided along the sides of said i I opening, and supported by said cover sheet,a?

panel movable in said channel to open and -'to close selectively the opening defined by said frame, a channel secured to, said cover sheet and extending along the sides andone end of said opening, a continuous spring flange carriedby said channel and overlying the side edges, of

said panel in all positions thereof and one end I edge of said panel in the closed position thereof to hold said panel down resiliently,a non-metallic 3 strip secured to said spring flange to facilitate sliding of said panel and to effect a seal around the three' sides of said panel in the closed position thereof, a downwardly extending flange along the edge of the fourth side of said movablepanel, and ,a sealing strip adapted to be com-' pressed by said downwardly extending flange to provide a seal'along the same.

JOHN VOTYPKA. 

